These programs are especially important in areas of the community where families are struggling.
SAN ANTONIO — The health of south Texans is a top priority for San Antonio’s Metro Health, and at the heart of this effort is the Healthy Start Program, which has been serving San Antonio families for over 20 years.
The Healthy Start Program began in 2001, and addresses infant, maternal and family health, especially in neighborhoods where families are struggling.
“We look at infant mortality rates, and we identify those areas in the city that are in need of a little bit more attention and hopefully, through the services, we’re able to reduce those numbers of infant mortality,” Norma Fuentes, the health program administrator for Maternal and Child and Adolescent Health for Metro Health said.
Mental health is also a big focus.
Metro Health says in Texas, 16% of adults are found to experience at least half of the month with poor mental health. In Bexar County that number is higher, with about 19% of adults reporting poor mental health at least half of every month. And across the county, the southwest and eastern sections have the highest proportion of surveyed adults reporting poor mental health.
“In order for us to have that outcome of a healthy baby, we need mom to be able to do what she needs to do, and she has to be sound in her mental health,” Fuentes added.
Every year, Metro Health supports more than 700 mothers, dads, and infants through no cost in-person care, and also virtual services.
The city also offers other programs including a lactation support center, an oral health program, SA Kids BREATHE which focuses on the quality of the lives of children with asthma, and of course WIC for nutrition education and food benefits.
“There are parts of the city where we see the need, there’s no insurance or that there is like a medical desert there because there are no providers around there or even if they have insurance, sometimes those deductibles are really high so, these programs help fill in those gaps,” Fuentes said.